IPL 2024 Qualification Scenarios: How can Punjab Kings qualify for playoffs after SRH's win over PBKS?

Shikhar Dhawan came to Mullanpur hoping to build on the win against Gujarat Titans. Instead, Punjab Kings suffered their third loss of the campaign to the Pat Cummins led Sunrisers Hyderabad side by two runs on Tuesday. 

Arshdeep Singh picked four wickets but his effort was overshadowed by Nitish Reddy who scored an impressive 64. The loss on Tuesday has put yet another nail in the path of Punjab Kings who have been traditionally known to be inconsistent.

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The fans have always questioned the PBKS management about their decision making ahead of an IPL season. The move to spend money hasn’t always worked out well and this season seems yet another example. The loss to SRH now leaves PBKS needing to up their game as they play key games in the weeks to come. 

Home comforts to help Punjab Kings in bid to make the playoffs?

Shikhar Dhawan will be buoyed by the fact that his Punjab Kings side will play their next three games at home. Rajasthan Royals visit Mullanpur next followed by the visits of Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans.

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Two wins out of the three matches at home will help PBKS chances to make it to the top four. If they win two games out of those three or win all three they would have won five matches out of eight with a total of ten points. 

The big tests though awaits PBKS when they go on the road to play their next two games away from home. The first visit will be to Eden Gardens to take on the Kolkata Knight Riders followed a game against CSK in Chennai. While it isn’t out of realms that PBKS cannot win those games, history suggests otherwise.

Shikhar Dhawan’s team will then play two games in Dharamshala when they host CSK and RCB in return encounters. By this time PBKS would have played 12 games and need ideally have 14 points with seven wins from those 12 matches.

The last two games of the season are both away from home with the first game in Guwahati against Rajasthan Royals. The last game of the season will witness PBKS play SRH away home and the qualifications would very well be decided by then.